This is part of an on-going series of articles published by the Kennedale AreaChamber of Commerce
that introduces chamber memberswho are part of the community of Kennedale.
This article focuses on Don Henry, Director of Benfits for Jade Henry Insurance. {{more:[read more]}}The full article can be read at Meet Your Neighbor
Tell us about yourself …
I was born & raised in New Jersey, in a family with four boys. I served in Air Force from 1966-70, and am a proud Vietnam Veteran. I?ve been married to my wife for 46 years, we have 2 daughters and 2 grandkids. We try to keep a weekly date night, almost always at the movies.
What is something that would surprise people to learn about you …
I played on a men?s soccer league until the age of 51. Both of my daughters played soccer, oldest still plays volleyball. We?ve always been a very active family and try to play as much as we can, as much as our time and aging bodies will allow.
Favorite movie? Book? Sports team? …
I like Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea is definitely my favorite book. I like to go to the movies, we try to go as much as possible, especially adventure/action stuff. For sports, I avidly follow Mansfield United, an English Soccer team.
Tell us about your business …
I?ve been in the insurance biz for 12 years, it?s my second career after 35 years in Information technology. In 2003 I got my insurance license and opened agency Jade Insurance. I?m appointed with almost all major carriers, so when I?m working with a client I can pull from over 40 different brands to get a really comprehensive range of quotes. We?re a small, independent insurance agency, so we don?t have fancy commercials but our claim to fame is spending the time to talk to you, not just asking for application, we want to find out what exactly you need and why so we can really tailor coverage to you.
Why did you choose this line of work …
I spent 35 years working in computers, everything from tech support to building a data center. My favorite part about that industry is how computers and technology are always changing. At first, every 18 months we?d have something new. Then it was six months. Now, you can?t go two minutes before you?ve got something new to learn. I was constantly needing to refresh my brain with education and training, new exposure and skills. Then I retired, and after three years I?d had enough of doing nothing and was ready to learn something new. I went to a job fair and really liked the Aflac representative, and the idea that the job would allow me to be the boss and have some flexibility, but also a lot of new options and information to learn and adapt as I went. I got licensed and working with people and found I really liked that part of it too. Life insurance now is not the same as it was a decade ago, so I appreciate being able to teach my clients to reassess what they thought they knew and what they need to know now. It keeps it interesting. I always tell people, whatever you do, don?t get bored. There?s no excuse not to learn something new or develop a new skill. If you can read instructions, you can do anything.
What do you like about doing business in the Kennedale area …
My business is built on networking. The small town, close-knit community environment is most conducive to referrals. Everyone needs something at some time, whether it?s a realtor or a printer or, you know, an insurance rep. Chamber networking usually helps us sell each other, too. Maybe I have a client who needs something I can?t offer, but I can recommend someone. And since I?ve already got a relationship with that person, I feel good about passing their name along. So maybe next time, they pass along mine.
Don Henry can be reached at Jade Insurance, jadeinsurance.com, office 817 483-7743, cell 972 965-5114
